By Greenech Lead America: The supporting partners of the
U.S. Water Partnership (USWP), a U.S.-based public-private partnership (PPP)
established to address water challenges around the globe, will dedicate over
half a billion dollars to address key water challenges around the world. One of
six signature initiatives announced by the U.S. government at the UN Conference
on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20).
The USWP provides access to knowledge, technical
assistance and training and partnership development services to support water
security around the world. The Global Environment & Technology Foundation
is serving as the USWP’s secretariat.
“The U.S. Water Partnership will allow us to bring
together the best thinking – in both the private and public sectors – to tackle
the pressing water challenges the world faces today and will face in the
future. Sharing American knowledge and expertise in water protection will allow
us to mobilize resources and bring about real progress in the United States and
abroad,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson.
The U.S. Water Partnership is supported by 41 members
including government agencies, academic organizations, water coalitions, NGOs
and the private sector. The members will contribute more than $500 million in
financial and in-kind resources.
As a partner of the U.S. Water Partnership, the Coca-Cola
Company pledged $3.5 million to support sustainable safe water access in
five African countries as well as support for operations of the U.S. Water
Partnership.
World Vision will dedicate $400 million in project
support toward the goals of the partnership, including best practices from
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene interventions in Haiti, India and West Africa and
support for the USWP.
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will invest at least $150 million within the next one
to two years in critical water issues including desalination and distribution
infrastructure.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will
invest $21 million over the next five years on research and application activities
that contribute to the understanding and improved management of our global
water resources.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will
provide access to its watershed management tools, its water quality standards,
and regulatory and policy support.
World Resources Institute (WRI) is
offering access to Aqueduct, a global information platform and tool for helping
private and public sector decision-makers understand water-related risks.
editor@greentechlead.com